Journal-bearing for shafts



, O. 0'. KLEIN. Journal-Bearing for Shafts.

No. 225,224. Patented Mar. 9,1880.

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UNITED STATES PATENT Orrin.

CHARLES C. KLEIN, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

JOURNAL- BEARING FOR SHAFTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 225,224, dated March 9,1880.

Application filed November 22, 1879.

To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, CHARLES C. KLEIN, of Philadelphia, in the county ofPhiladelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in J ournal-Bearings for Shafts, which improvementsare fully set forth in the following specification,'reference being hadto the annexed drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side view, showing theimprovements applied to a post-hanger, the journal-box being indicatedin section through the line P Q, Fig. 6. Fig. 2 is a transverse, andFig. 4 a longitudinal, section of the upper boss of the hanger. Figs. 3and 5 show a modification of the adjusting and fastening device. Fig. 6is a top view of the lower half of the journal-box, and Fig. 7 is asectional view of the box through the line L M, Fig. 6.

The first part of my invention relates to that class of shafting-hangersknown as adjustable ball-and-socket bearings, in which the journal-boxis suspended and held between bosses by plugs or short cylinders whoseinner ends are provided with concave globular surfaces or theirequivalents, and in which the journal-box is provided with convexglobular projections or their equivalents, which match the surfaces uponthe ends of the plugs.

The object of the first part of my invention is, first, to lessen thecost of the devices by which the vertical adjustment of the journalboxis accomplished by combining such parts and by making them of such shapethat they will perform their function in their rough state, or, in otherwords, that only a comparatively small amount of machine-work shall berequired upon them second, to so combine a fastening device, K, with theadjusting device that the strain of the fastening-device upon theadjusting device E or F shall have a tendency to aid the adjustingdevice in the clamping of the box, while at the same time the adjustingdevice is prevented from becoming loose; third, to so combine thefastening device K, the drip-pan W, and the lugs T on the boss F that bythe addition of a nut, K, the pan W will be firmly held and preventedfrom moving in any direction.

The second part of my invention relates, in general, to that class ofshafting hangers known as self -lubricators, and, in particular, to thatkind in which the lubricant is drawn from a reservoir situate on a lowerlevel than the shaft-bearing by capillary attraction; and the objectsare, first, reduction in cost by constructing the journal-box andreservoir for the lubricant in such a manner that they can be casteasily in one piece, if de sired, thereby doing away with the work ofdrilling and tapping and savingthe cost of screws or other fasteningdevices; second,

greater efficiency, by placing the reservoirupon a higher level than hasbeen possible in their several equivalents. The inner surface I of theboss E may be cylindrical or polygonal, its office being simply to guidethe plug E1 in a line at right angles with the horizontal plane of theaxis of the shaft or journal-box, and for that reason the inner surface,of whatever shape its transverse section may be, must be parallel withthe axial line of the plug, and should be free from any projections orprotuberances which would interfere with the free longitudinal motion ofthe plug.

A recess, 0, Figs. 2 and 4, is provided in the boss E for the purpose ofintroducing into it a section of a nut, I, fitting the screw-thread uponthe plug E. It will now be perceived that while before the introductionof the sectional nut I into the recess 0 the plug E could be movedlongitudinally, such motion is no longer possible after the helicalprojections on I interlock with the threads on E, except by revolvingthe plug E on its axis, when the usual action of the helix will manifestitself, and practically the effect will be the same as if the wholeinterior of the boss E were provided with a screw-thread, While theproduction of a screw-thread upon the interior of the boss E would be acomparatively expensive operation on machine-tools, the nut I with itshelical projections can be formed complete in the casting, and as suchwill not cost more than ordinary castings.

Let the plug E now be revolved on its axis so that it will move towardthe journal-box A; then that part of the surface of the screw-threadwhich is toward the polygonal projection E, Figs. 1 and 4, will pressagainst that part of the helical projection on 1 which is toward thejournal-box; and if now both plugs bear against the journal-box, thetendency of the screw K will be to force the plug E yet tighter againstthe box by reason of the inclined sides of the threads and helicalprojections, and at the same time the plug E is prevented from becomingloose.

By reference to Fig. 1 it will be seen that the axis of the fasteningdevice K is parallel with the axis of the journal-box A, so that anystrain brought upon the plug E or F by their fastening devices K willnot force the axis of the box A laterally out of its true position.

From the foregoing it will be evident that the sectional nut I is notintended to act simply as a washer for the screw K, to prevent thelatter from bruising the threads on E, for I am aware that pieces of asofter metal have heretofore been used for this purpose; but the piece Iis to all practical intents and purposes a nut forthe screwed plug E,and performs its functions as such in conjunction with the smoothinterior surface of the boss E.

In the boss F, Fig. 1, and in Figs. 3 and 5, a modification is indicatedby which I am enabled to remove and introduce the sectional nut Iwithout the necessity ofremoving F from F. The device in this form isalso less expensive, as the drilling and tapping for thescrew K, Figs. 2and 4, are done away with, the hole for the bolt K, Figs. 3 and 5, beingformed in the casting by coring. A nut is used in this arrangement tohold and fasten the sectional nut I, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4;. Astationary nut, U, Fig. 3, is dropped into a recess in F, and answersthe purpose of a head upon the bolt K. The latter is elongated beyondthis nut, and provided with a screw-thread for the purpose of holdingthe shank N of the drip pan W and the nut K, which serves to fasten theshank N firmly to the boss F. It will be observed that by thisarrangement the drippan W can be removed and attached withoutinterfering with the fastening of the nut I.

The thumb-nut K, Fig. 4, answers a purpose similar to that of the nut K,Fig. 5. A

portion of the screw-thread on F is removed, and only so much of thecentral portion of F is permitted to remain as will insure the necessarystrength, the object being to allow the axial lines of K and F to bebrought as close together as possible.

The objects of the second part of my invention are accomplished byplacing the reservoir B in such relative position with the axis of thejournal-box Athat, first, the molds for the castings can be made withoutany unusual difficulty, and that the forming of the reservoir B andthejournal-box A in one piece, if desired, shall not add to the ordinarydifficulties' of forming the molds for the castings; second, that thevertical distance between the axis of the journal-box A and the level ofthe lubricant in the reservoir B shall be reduced to its minimum 5 and,third, that thelubricant,residnary matter, and capillary substance Y canbe inspected, removed, and replaced at any time without the necessity ofusing any tools or implements to accomplish it.

It is the practiceat the present time to arran ge the reservoir for thelubricant vertically, or nearly so, below the journal-box, to which itis usually attached by screws, which latter enter into holes providedwith screw-threads in the metal between the top of the reservoir and theinterior of the journal-box. The holes for these screws do not extendthrough to the journal-bearing, in order that the lubricant may not leakthrough them, and for this reason a considerable thickness of metal isrequired between the journal-bearing and the top of the reservoir; hencethe lubricant must rise through the space occupied by this metal beforeit reaches the shaft, even when the reservoir is full to the top, and asthe level of the lubricant falls the distance is increasedproportionately.

In my invention the reservoir B is not placed underneath the journal-boxA, but is arranged at the side, and it also is raised until its top isabout on a level with the lower part of the journal-bearing A; or, inother words, the reservoir B is displaced laterally from its usualposition for the purpose of making its molding in one piece with the boxAwithout cores possible, and for purposes of convenience, and

it is raised vertically, so as to decrease the perpendicular distancebetween the lower side of the bearing and the level of the lubricant.Preferably, I. place the top of the reservoir B slightly below thebottom of the journal-bearing A, as indicated by dotted lines 00 m, Fig.7, for the reason that if it extended above it and the reservoir wasfilled to its top through carelessness the lubricant would run out ofthe journal-box and be wasted.

By reference "to Fig. 1, in which the box A and reservoir B and part ofthe plugs E F are shown in sections taken upon the line P Q, Fig. 6, itwill' be seen that the form and position of the reservoir B are suchthat it will not only perform its functions, as specified hereinafter,effectively, but that also, during the process of molding, the sand willleave the interior of the reservoir B as readily as it will the box A.

The channel D, running in an inclined direction from the reservoir B tothe journalbearing A, and into which the capillary substance Y isinserted, may either be cored or drilled.

The channels B, Fig. '7, running in an inclined direction from theannular channels S to the reservoir 13, are intended to act as ducts toconvey the lubricant from the journal back to the reservoir. These ductsare liable to be obstructed by dust and by matter loosened from thejournal by abrasion, and it is important that they should be so arrangedthat they can be readily cleaned. In order to accomplish this in thepresent construction of capillary lubricators it is necessary to unscrewand remove the reservoir B from the box A, in order to be able tointroduce a wire or other implement into the duct to remove theobstruction.

In my invention, by reason of the inclined position of the ducts R andthe open flaring 'top of the reservoir B, the implement for clean in gthe ducts can be introduced from that end of the duct which opens intothe reservoir. The inclined position of the channel D also has theeffect of aiding the capillary action of the wick Y to a considerableextent, owing to the fact that capillary attraction can be carried to agreater perpendicular distance by the aid of a number of short verticaldistances in the form of steps'than would be possible if the fluid hadto rise to the same height in a single vertical line.

A further advantage of the inclined position of the channels D and Rconsists in the fact that the residuary matter, as particles worn offthe shaft-bearing, dust, 850., which acts as a destructive agent uponthe bearing, can leave the surface of the shaft promptly, flow with thelubricant backinto the reservoirB, and settle there to the bottom, fromwhence it can be removed at convenient times. The open form of thereservoir B, unobstructed by adjacent parts, makes it possible to removefrom its interior any foreign or residuary matter easily, to inspect,remove, or replace the capillary substance Y without the necessity ofcarrying or using tools during the operation.

From the foregoing it will be evident that this invention does away withthe necessity of the curved channel which constitutes the subject-matterof Letters Patent granted to me February 11, 1869, as the entirereservoir B is placed in such a position that the lower boss, F, of ashafting-hanger cannot act as an obstruction to the continuation of thereservoir from one end of the journal-box to the other.

I am aware that heretofore journal-boxes havebeen made with vessels orpockets formed upon their sides similar to the reservoir de scribed inthis specification but their function was and is limited to that of afunnel, serving the purpose of introducing lubricant and regulating itslevel. i

In my invention the reservoir B serves, first, to hold the entire bodyof the lubricant until the same is drawn away by the capillarysubstance; second, to receive the lubricant again after its circulationthrough the journal; third, to allow the residuary matter to subsideupon the bottom of the reservoir and to permit its easy removal; fourth,to permit the introduction of new lubricant and the inspection, removal,or introduction of the capillary substance Y without the use of anytools. To

perform all these functions efiectively it is important that itsposition should be as indicated in Figs. Land 7.

In Fig. 1 the improvements are shown applied to a post-hanger; but itwill be evident that the first part of my invention can also be appliedto drop-hangers, wall-brackets, floorstands, and pedestals orpillow-blocks, and that the second part of my invention will accomplishits objects as well on rigid bearings as it will on those whose boxesare provided with oscillating joints.

A loose cap, 0, Fig. 1, prevents the introduction and accumulation ofdust and other foreign matter in the reservoir B.

What 1 claim as my inventiomand desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1.. In an adjustable journal-bearin g, the combination of the bosses EF, provided upon their interior with a smooth surface parallel withtheir axes, and plugs E and F, provided upon their exterior with helicalsurfaces, with the sectional nut I, substantially as and for the purposeset forth.

2. In a journal-bearing, the combination of the drip-pan W, lugs T T,auxiliary nut K, and plug-fastening device K, substantially as and forthe purpose set forth.

3. In combination with the journal-box A, having inclined channels R R,and with the capillary substance Y, the reservoir B, occupying inrelation to the box A a lateral position, substantially'as and for thepurpose set forth.

4. In combination with the journal-box A, having inclined channels ItIt, capillary substance Y, and reservoir B, occupying in relation to thebox A a lateral position, the loose cap 0, substantially as and for thepurpose specified.

CHAS. O. KLEIN. Witnesses:

J NO. A. BELL, WILLIAM J. OoNNoLLY.

